Christian churches in Jerusalem voice concern about cabinet discussions on legislation about church property
Three major Christian churches have voiced concern about the upcoming discussion by the Israeli ministers’ commission that is aimed at expropriating church property in Jerusalem.
Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Hovnan Baghdasaryan said in a Facebook post that the patriarchs of Jerusalem’s Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Nourhan Manojian, and Custos of the Holy Land Francesco Patton (affiliated with the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem) have sent a joint letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Patriarchs are surprised at the decision to include the bill in the agenda of the upcoming session of the Israeli ministers’ commission, although earlier they were assured by Benjamin Netanyahu the proposed legislation will be withdrawn.
The bill, which was introduced by Rachel Azaria, a member of the Knesset would allow properties in Jerusalem to be handed over to the state. The representatives of the churches call upon the Israeli prime minister to intervene and decisively block this bill.